Marijuana Dispensaries (Opinion)

Posted:
01/09/2018 02:39:56 PM MST

Allow marijuana dispensaries? In my town? No way. When a friend asked my opinion, this was my response. However, when asked for reasons why, I fell short. Just off the cuff, I thought it would not fit in with our quaint mountain town. Some feel it may increase crime or bring an unwanted type of tourism to Estes Park, but I wanted to research more before I added those reasons to my side of the debate. I need facts to support my opinions, and so off I went in search of reputable, evidence-based data on how the presence of marijuana dispensaries truly affect a town. Below are commonly held beliefs by dispensary opponents, and the results of my research:

Data: Conversely, multiple studies have shown that crime falls in areas that allow marijuana dispensaries. In fact, a study by Robert G. Morris of University of Texas, states that it “may be related to reductions in rates of homicide & assault.” (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140326182049. htm)

Belief #2: Marijuana leads to more illicit drug use. Fact: It DOES NOT.

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Data: “The majority of people who use marijuana do not go on to use other, “harder” substances.” However, “alcohol and nicotine also prime the brain for a heightened response to other drugs and are, like marijuana, also typically used before a person progresses to other, more harmful substances.” This is more complex than I'll get into in this letter, but in this context, marijuana use is not much different from smoking & drinking alcohol. (https:// www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/ marijuana/marijuanagateway-drug)

Data: Fifteen studies were examined by Katarina Guttmannova at University of Washington. There were mixed results, as some people drank less alcohol when marijuana was available, and other studies showed that people drank more alcohol when under the influence of marijuana. (https://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/drug-policy/marijuanalegalization-crime-drivingresearch)

Belief #4: Marijuana dispensaries make a town unfriendly to families. Fact: NOT TRUE.

Data: Tax revenue from upwards of $1.3 billion statewide (CO) marijuana sales have been used on the following, which clearly benefit a town & its' families:

•Student scholarships (more than $500,000 in Adams County)

•School improvement, construction

•Education: “teaching youth about the potential risks and what we know, also teaching adults about how to treat this newly legal substance.” Ricardo Baca on NPR (2016): https:// www.npr.org/2016/10/01/ 496226348/where-does-colorados-marijuana-money-go •Address homelessness

The FACT is that “different municipalities are able to disseminate the money however they choose” (Baca, 2016), which means Estes Park can decide what will make our wonderful town even better. We can choose what will make it more family-friendly, such as by funding more recreational opportunities (bike paths, community center additions, etc.), making housing more affordable somehow, as well as add in more year-round job opportunities. A hope that hits close to home for me is that we would be able to supplement teacher & paraprofessional salaries, to enable them to live in Estes Park & retain their jobs. This will help with consistency for our children, as well as enable us to retain quality educators & support staff. All these potential uses for marijuana sales tax revenue will help Estes Park become a viable town to allthose who love it, and allow it to be sustainable for the future.

The days of the Prohibition are over. We are intelligent citizens. Marijuana is legal, just like alcohol, and has even been shown to have therapeutic benefits. Let us open our minds, and arm ourselves with knowledge. The world is changing, this town is changing, and we should embrace it to guide it towards the best possible outcome. Marijuana is already present in Estes, except people buy it in other towns and enable those towns to benefit from the tax revenue. I hope the Estes Park Town Board can make any necessary code changes to find the most appropriate locations for dispensaries, either to perhaps be in less conspicuous places, or in parts of town to help disperse the footprint (and traffic) of tourism. It will take forethought, research & extensive planning to figure out how to best incorporate dispensaries into Estes Park, but I am confident our Town Board will uphold their duty to our town, and their mutual respect for its' character and sustainability.

I am a mother, wife & daughter, and family values are integral in my life. Family values and town marijuana dispensaries are not mutually exclusive. They can co-exist and serve to improve Estes Park. I am anything but alone in this thinking. On a regular basis, I have the great fortune to talk with local people of all ages, family compositions (children, no children, blended families, retirees) & income levels. Most join me in progressive thinking, and see the multifaceted value of allowing marijuana dispensaries to benefit all the people of Estes Park. This decision should be put on the upcoming ballot, so the true voice of Estes Park may be heard.

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